Apple And Butternut Squash Soup

Apple And Butternut Squash Soup: Date Added: 21 Nov 2009 Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large red onion -- chopped
4 cups diced peeled Macintosh apple
1 vegetable bouillon cube
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups low-fat milk, soymilk, or rice milk -- or as needed
Salt -- to taste
Freshly-ground white pepper -- to taste

Cooking Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Halve the squash lengthwise with a sharp knife and scoop out the seeds and fibers. Place cut-side up in a shallow baking dish and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion and sauté over medium-low heat until golden, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the apple dice, 4 cups water, bouillon cube, and spices. Bring to a simmer, then simmer gently, covered, until the apples are soft, about 10 minutes.

In a food processor, puree the squash with 1/2 cup of the milk, until completely smooth. Transfer to a bowl.

Transfer the apple-onion mixture to the food processor and puree until completely smooth. Transfer both this and the squash puree back into the soup pot and stir together. Add the remaining milk or soy milk, using a bit more if the puree is too thick.

Bring the soup to a simmer once again, then cook over low heat for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until well heated through. Season to taste with salt and white pepper. Serve at once, or let the soup stand off the heat for an hour or two, then heat through as needed before serving.

This recipe yields 6 servings.